Flexible filter cage for a make-up air module

Abstract

A flexible filter cage for receiving an air filter in an air conditioner unit includes a first frame portion and a second frame portion spaced apart from the first frame portion to define a frame cavity therebetween. A flexible bridge extends between and flexibly connects the first frame portion and the second frame portion to permit flexing of the filter cage up to a predetermined angle which facilitates easy mounting into a filter slot defined by the air conditioner unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A packaged terminal air conditioner unit defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, the packaged terminal air conditioner unit, comprising:
 a bulkhead defining an indoor portion and an outdoor portion; 
 a vent aperture defined in the bulkhead; 
 an auxiliary fan positioned proximate the vent aperture and being configured for urging a flow of make-up air from the outdoor portion through the vent aperture to the indoor portion; and 
 a filter cage positioned adjacent the auxiliary fan and being configured for receiving an air filter, the filter cage comprising:
 a first frame portion; 
 a second frame portion spaced apart from the first frame portion to define a frame cavity therebetween, wherein the first frame portion and the second frame portion are spaced apart along the lateral direction by a gap; and 
 a flexible bridge extending between and flexibly and permanently connecting the first frame portion and the second frame portion, wherein the first frame portion defines a first blocking face proximate the flexible bridge and the second frame portion defines a second blocking face proximate the flexible bridge, the first blocking face configured for engaging the second blocking face to limit the flexing of the filter cage. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit of  claim 1 , wherein the filter cage comprises an elongated flange that extends from an outer surface of the first frame portion and the second frame portion away from the frame cavity. 
     
     
       3. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible bridge is a tapered portion of the elongated flange that extends between and connects the first frame portion and the second frame portion. 
     
     
       4. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit of  claim 1 , wherein a flex angle is defined between the first blocking face and the second blocking face when the filter cage is in a relaxed position. 
     
     
       5. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit of  claim 4 , wherein the flex angle is between about 10 degrees and 30 degrees. 
     
     
       6. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a receiving slot positioned upstream of the auxiliary fan for receiving the filter cage. 
 
     
     
       7. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit of  claim 6 , wherein the receiving slot is defined in part by a raised lateral flange, and wherein the filter cage further comprises:
 an elongated flange that extends from an outer surface of the first frame portion and the second frame portion away from the frame cavity; and 
 a locking rib spaced apart from the elongated flange along the transverse direction, wherein the filter cage is secured in place when the elongated flange and the locking rib straddle the raised lateral flange. 
 
     
     
       8. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit of  claim 1 , wherein the filter cage further comprises cross supports extending within a plane orthogonal to the transverse direction proximate an aft end of the first frame portion and the second frame portion. 
     
     
       9. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit of  claim 8 , wherein the filter cage defines one or more finger grip recesses on the cross supports. 
     
     
       10. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit of  claim 1 , wherein the filter cavity is configured for receiving the air filter after the filter cage is installed. 
     
     
       11. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit of  claim 1 , wherein the filter cage is injection molded as a single, integral piece. 
     
     
       12. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit of  claim 1 , wherein the filter cage is made from polypropylene. 
     
     
       13. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit of  claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary fan is part of a make-up air module, the make-up air module further comprising:
 an auxiliary sealed system positioned downstream of the auxiliary fan for conditioning the flow of make-up air. 
 
     
     
       14. A filter assembly for a make-up air module, the filter assembly comprising:
 a filter cage comprising a first frame portion, a second frame portion spaced apart from the first frame portion to define a frame cavity therebetween, wherein the first frame portion and the second frame portion are spaced apart along the lateral direction by a gap, and a flexible bridge extending between and flexibly and permanently connecting the first frame portion and the second frame portion, wherein the first frame portion defines a first blocking face proximate the flexible bridge and the second frame portion defines a second blocking face proximate the flexible bridge, the first blocking face configured for engaging the second blocking face to limit the flexing of the filter cage; and 
 an air filter positionable within the filter cavity for filtering a flow of make-up air passing through the make-up air module. 
 
     
     
       15. The filter assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the filter cage comprises an elongated flange that extends from an outer surface of the first frame portion and the second frame portion away from the frame cavity, and wherein the flexible bridge is a tapered portion of the elongated flange that extends between and connects the first frame portion and the second frame portion. 
     
     
       16. The filter assembly of  claim 14 , wherein a predetermined flex angle is defined between the first blocking face and the second blocking face when the filter cage is in a relaxed position. 
     
     
       17. The filter assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the filter cage further comprises:
 an elongated flange that extends from an outer surface of the first frame portion and the second frame portion away from the frame cavity; and 
 a locking rib spaced apart from the elongated flange along the transverse direction, wherein the filter cage is secured in place when the elongated flange and the locking rib straddle a raised lateral flange defined on the make-up air module. 
 
     
     
       18. The filter assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the filter cage is injection molded as a single, integral piece of polypropylene.